Karnataka NEET PG Counselling 2026 is conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) for admission to MD, MS, and PG Diploma seats in the state. KEA handles the 50% state quota seats in government medical and dental colleges, along with 100% of the seats in private colleges. With NEET PG 2026 now confirmed for August 30, 2026, the KEA counselling for the 2026-27 session is expected to begin around October 2026, once the NEET PG result is declared.
- NEET PG 2026 Exam: The exam is confirmed for August 30, 2026. KEA counselling depends fully on this result, which is expected in late September 2026.
- KEA Registration: The Karnataka NEET PG counselling registration is expected to open around October 2026. Last year, registration started on October 4, 2025 and closed on October 9, 2025.
- Seat Matrix: Around 6,386 PG medical seats across about 65 colleges are expected, including roughly 1,844 government seats and 3,851 private seats.
- Document Verification: Offline document verification in Bengaluru is expected from early November 2026. You should keep your Karnataka domicile and study certificates ready in advance.
Latest Update (June 1, 2026): NEET PG 2026 is confirmed for August 30, 2026. KEA has not yet released the PGET-2026 medical counselling notification. The 2026-27 Karnataka NEET PG counselling timeline below is based on the official NEET PG schedule and last year’s KEA dates. Check cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea for the official notification.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Counselling Name | Karnataka NEET PG Counselling 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) |
| Qualifying Exam | NEET PG 2026 (held on August 30, 2026) |
| Courses Offered | MD, MS, PG Diploma |
| Seats Covered | 50% state quota in government colleges + 100% private college seats |
| Total PG Seats (approx.) | Around 6,386 seats in about 65 colleges |
| Seat Categories | Government (G), Private (P), NRI (N), Others (Q) |
| Counselling Mode | Online registration and choice filling, offline document verification |
| Official Website | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea |
What is Karnataka NEET PG Counselling?
Karnataka NEET PG Counselling is the state-level admission process for postgraduate medical and dental courses in Karnataka. It is conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) for candidates who qualify the NEET PG exam. Through this counselling, you can get admission to MD, MS, and PG Diploma seats in the state.
KEA conducts the counselling for two main sets of seats. The first is the 50% state quota in government medical and dental colleges. The second is 100% of the seats in private medical and dental colleges in Karnataka. The remaining 50% government college seats go to the All India Quota, which is handled by the MCC at the national level.
The whole process is also called Karnataka PGET counselling. The registration, choice filling, and seat allotment are done online. Document verification is done offline in Bengaluru. Around 6,386 PG medical seats are expected across about 65 colleges in the state.
This makes Karnataka one of the most sought-after states for PG medical admission. The state has top government colleges like Bangalore Medical College and reputed private and deemed colleges. You should qualify NEET PG 2026 first to take part in this counselling.
Karnataka NEET PG Counselling 2026: Important Dates
The Karnataka NEET PG counselling 2026 dates depend fully on the NEET PG 2026 result. NEET PG 2026 will be held on August 30, 2026. The result is expected in late September 2026. After this, KEA is expected to release the counselling notification around October 2026.
The table below shows the expected 2026-27 schedule. The upcoming events are listed first. The past 2025-26 cycle dates are added at the end for reference. These help you understand the usual KEA timeline.
| Event | Expected Date (2026-27) |
|---|---|
| NEET PG 2026 Exam | August 30, 2026 |
| NEET PG 2026 Result | Late September 2026 (expected) |
| KEA Counselling Notification | October 2026 (expected) |
| Online Registration and Fee Payment | October 2026 (expected) |
| Document Verification (Bengaluru) | Early November 2026 (expected) |
| Seat Matrix Release | November 2026 (expected) |
| Round 1 Choice Filling | November 2026 (expected) |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment Result | November 2026 (expected) |
| Round 2 Counselling | December 2026 (expected) |
| Mop-Up Round | January 2027 (expected) |
| Stray Vacancy Round | February 2027 (expected) |
| Registration Start (2025-26 cycle) | October 4, 2025 (Over) |
| Round 3 Final Allotment (2025-26 cycle) | February 10, 2026 (Over) |
The dates above are expected. KEA will confirm the official 2026-27 schedule after the NEET PG 2026 result. Do not rely on these dates for final deadlines.
Karnataka NEET PG Counselling Eligibility Criteria
You must meet the Karnataka NEET PG counselling eligibility before you register. The eligibility has two parts. The first is the basic medical eligibility. The second is the domicile or clause-based eligibility for state quota seats.
The basic eligibility rules are listed below:
- You must qualify NEET PG 2026 with a valid score above the cutoff percentile.
- You must have an MBBS degree from a college recognised by the National Medical Commission (NMC).
- You must complete your one-year compulsory rotatory internship (CRRI) by the date set by KEA.
- You must have a valid permanent or provisional registration from the NMC or a State Medical Council.
For the government quota seats, KEA follows a clause-based system. The clauses run from Clause A to Clause Z. They decide your eligibility based on your domicile, place of study, and parental background.
To claim a government seat, you should normally meet one of these conditions:
- You completed your MBBS from a college in Karnataka recognised by the state.
- You studied in Karnataka for at least 10 years.
- You or your parents are Karnataka domicile holders as per the clause rules.
If you do not meet the Karnataka domicile or clause rules, you can still apply for private and NRI seats through KEA.
Karnataka NEET PG Counselling Registration Process
The Karnataka NEET PG counselling registration is an online process on the KEA portal. You should complete each step carefully to avoid rejection. The registration is expected to open around October 2026.
The main steps are given below:
- Online Registration: Visit the KEA website and register using your NEET PG 2026 roll number and details.
- Application Form: Fill in your personal, academic, and category details. Upload the scanned documents in the correct format.
- Fee Payment: Pay the registration fee online using a debit card, credit card, or net banking.
- Document Verification: Report for offline document verification in Bengaluru on your given date.
- Choice Filling: After verification, you can enter your college and course choices in order of preference.
- Choice Locking: Lock your choices before the deadline. KEA uses these locked choices for seat allotment.
You should enter your choices carefully. The seat allotment is based on your NEET PG rank, category, and the choices you fill. KEA prepares the allotment using the seat matrix and the state merit list.
Documents Required for Karnataka NEET PG Counselling
You should keep all original documents ready along with two photocopies. These are checked during the offline verification in Bengaluru. Missing documents can lead to rejection of your application.
The documents required for Karnataka NEET PG counselling are:
- NEET PG 2026 Admit Card and Scorecard
- MBBS Degree or Provisional Pass Certificate
- Internship (CRRI) Completion Certificate
- NMC or State Medical Council Registration Certificate
- MBBS Marks Cards of all years
- Aadhaar Card or any other government photo ID
- Karnataka Domicile or Study Certificate (for government seats)
- Caste or Category Certificate issued in Karnataka (for SC, ST, Cat-1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B)
- Income Certificate (for reservation benefits)
- Hyderabad-Karnataka (371J) Eligibility Certificate, if applicable
- In-Service Certificate (for in-service candidates)
- PwD Certificate (for persons with disability)
Carry both originals and self-attested copies. Government seat claims will be rejected without a valid Karnataka domicile or study certificate.
Karnataka NEET PG Counselling Fees
The Karnataka NEET PG counselling fees have two parts. The first is a non-refundable registration fee. The second is a refundable security deposit. You pay these online during registration.
The course fees are different for each seat category. Government seats have the lowest fees. Private and NRI seats have much higher fees. The table below shows the expected fee pattern.
| Seat Category | Expected Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Government Seat (G) | Lowest, set by the state government |
| Private Seat (P) - Merit Quota | Around ₹13.5 lakh in top private colleges |
| NRI Seat (N) | Highest, several times the merit fee |
| Others (Q) | As per the seat-sharing agreement |
The fees vary from college to college. Reputed private colleges like St. John’s Medical College, Kempegowda Institute, Vydehi Institute, and Dr. BR Ambedkar Medical College charge around ₹13.5 lakh per year for merit quota seats. The exact fee is published in the official KEA notification each year.
The security deposit is refunded if you complete the process as per the rules. You may lose your deposit if you skip the allotted seat without a valid reason.
Karnataka NEET PG Seat Matrix and Seat Categories
The Karnataka NEET PG seat matrix shows the number of seats in each college and course. KEA releases the seat matrix on its official website before each round. The matrix is also updated after every round to show the leftover seats.
Around 6,386 PG medical seats are expected in about 65 colleges. The split between government and private colleges is shown below.
| Seat Type | Approx. Seats |
|---|---|
| Government Seats (state quota) | Around 1,844 |
| Private College Seats | Around 3,851 |
| Total PG Seats (approx.) | Around 6,386 |
In each college, the seats are divided into four categories. You should know these before choice filling:
- Government (G): State quota seats in government colleges with the lowest fees.
- Private (P): Merit-based seats in private colleges through KEA counselling.
- NRI (N): Seats reserved for Non-Resident Indian candidates with higher fees.
- Others (Q): Seats filled as per the seat-sharing agreement between the state and colleges.
The final seat matrix for 2026-27 will be released after the NEET PG 2026 result. The numbers above are based on last year’s matrix and may change slightly.
Karnataka NEET PG Counselling Reservation Policy
Karnataka NEET PG counselling follows the state reservation policy for government quota seats. The reservation is applied as per Karnataka rules, not the central rules. You should claim your category with a valid Karnataka-issued certificate.
The main reservation categories are shown below:
| Category | Reservation |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 3% |
| Backward Classes (Cat-I, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB) | Around 32% combined |
Apart from these, special quotas may apply for in-service candidates, persons with disability, and the Hyderabad-Karnataka (371J) region. You must hold the correct certificate to claim any reservation.
NRI seats are a separate category. They are reserved for Non-Resident Indian candidates or their wards. You should provide valid NRI proof for these seats.
Karnataka NEET PG Counselling Rounds and Process
The Karnataka NEET PG counselling is held in several rounds. This helps fill the seats step by step. You can take part in each round based on your rank and the seats left.
The usual rounds are listed below:
- Round 1: The first round of choice filling and seat allotment based on the state merit list.
- Round 2: The second round for candidates who did not get a seat or want to upgrade.
- Mop-Up Round: Held for the seats left after Round 2. Fresh candidates can also join this round.
- Stray Vacancy Round: The final round to fill the last leftover seats. Colleges fill these as per KEA rules.
In each round, KEA prepares the seat allotment using the seat matrix, the state merit list, and your locked choices. After allotment, you must report to the allotted college within the deadline.
KEA may revise the round dates based on the seats left and court orders. In 2025-26, the Round 3 choice filling was revised to February 5-9, 2026, with the final result on February 10, 2026.
Karnataka NEET PG Seat Allotment
The Karnataka NEET PG seat allotment is based on three things. These are your NEET PG rank, your category, and the choices you lock. KEA prepares the allotment list using the state merit list and the seat matrix.
The seat allotment works like this:
- KEA first prepares the state merit list from your NEET PG 2026 score.
- It then matches your locked choices with the available seats by merit.
- The provisional allotment result is published first, followed by the final result.
- You can download your allotment letter from the KEA portal after the result.
After you get a seat, you should report to the college within the given time. If you skip the reporting, your seat may be cancelled. You may also lose your security deposit in some cases.
If you are not happy with your Round 1 seat, you can choose to upgrade in Round 2. You should read the round-wise rules on the KEA portal before you decide.
Karnataka NEET PG Cutoff
The Karnataka NEET PG cutoff is the closing rank at which a seat is allotted in a college. The cutoff is different for each college, course, and category. It depends on the number of candidates, seats, and choices filled.
The cutoff for top government colleges is very high. Popular courses like Radio Diagnosis, General Medicine, and Dermatology close at the best ranks. For reference, the table below shows the 2025 closing rank range for Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI).
| College | Course (2025, Round 1) | Closing Rank Range |
|---|---|---|
| BMCRI, Bengaluru | MD (all categories) | 228 - 1,24,824 |
| BMCRI, Bengaluru | MD Radio Diagnosis (General, 2024) | Around 336 |
The 2026-27 cutoff will be released after the seat allotment. The numbers above are from last year. You can use them only as a rough guide for your planning.
The paper difficulty and the number of candidates both affect the cutoff. A tougher paper can lower the qualifying percentile. You should track the official cutoff once it is out.
Top PG Medical Colleges in Karnataka
Karnataka has many top PG medical colleges. These include government, private, and deemed colleges. You can get admission to the government and private college seats through KEA counselling.
Some of the well-known PG medical colleges in the state are:
- Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI), Bengaluru - a top government college.
- Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, Mysuru - a reputed government college.
- Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubballi - a leading government college.
- St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru - a top private college.
- Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bengaluru - a known private college.
- Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences, Bengaluru - a popular private college.
- Dr. BR Ambedkar Medical College, Bengaluru - a reputed private college.
The government colleges have lower fees and high demand. So their cutoffs are the toughest. The private colleges have higher fees but offer more seats through KEA. You should compare the fees, course, and location before you fill your choices.
Karnataka NEET PG Stipend and Service Bond
If you join a PG seat in Karnataka, you get a monthly stipend during your course. You may also have to sign a service bond for government seats. You should read these rules before you accept a seat.
The key points are:
- Stipend: PG residents get a monthly stipend as per the college type. Government college stipends are set by the state.
- Service Bond: Government seat holders usually sign a compulsory rural service bond after their PG course.
- Bond Penalty: If you do not serve the bond period, you may have to pay a penalty as per the bond rules.
The bond period and penalty amount are decided by the Karnataka government. These are published in the KEA notification. You should check the latest bond rules before you lock your government college choices.
Bond and stipend rules can change each year. Always confirm the current rules from the official KEA notification before accepting a seat.
FAQs
Ques. Who conducts Karnataka NEET PG Counselling 2026?
Ans. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) conducts the Karnataka NEET PG counselling 2026. KEA handles the 50% state quota seats in government colleges and 100% of the private college seats. The process is done on the official portal, cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
Ques. When will Karnataka NEET PG Counselling 2026 start?
Ans. The Karnataka NEET PG counselling 2026 is expected to start around October 2026. It will begin after the NEET PG 2026 result, which is expected in late September 2026. NEET PG 2026 itself is confirmed for August 30, 2026.
Ques. What is the eligibility for Karnataka NEET PG Counselling?
Ans. You must qualify NEET PG 2026, hold an MBBS degree from an NMC-recognised college, and complete your internship by the KEA deadline. For government seats, you must also meet the Karnataka domicile or clause-based study rules. A valid medical council registration is also needed.
Ques. How many PG medical seats are there in Karnataka?
Ans. Karnataka has around 6,386 PG medical seats across about 65 colleges. This includes around 1,844 government seats and 3,851 private college seats. The final seat matrix for 2026-27 will be released by KEA after the NEET PG result.
Ques. What documents are required for Karnataka NEET PG Counselling?
Ans. You need your NEET PG admit card and scorecard, MBBS degree, internship certificate, medical council registration, and MBBS marks cards. For state quota, you also need a Karnataka domicile or study certificate. Caste, income, and special category certificates are needed for reservation.
Ques. How many rounds are there in Karnataka NEET PG Counselling?
Ans. KEA usually conducts Round 1, Round 2, a Mop-Up round, and a Stray Vacancy round. Each round fills the seats left after the earlier round. Fresh candidates can also join the Mop-Up round in most years.
Ques. What are the seat categories in Karnataka NEET PG Counselling?
Ans. The seats are divided into four categories. These are Government (G), Private (P), NRI (N), and Others (Q). Each category has a different fee. Government seats have the lowest fee and the toughest cutoff.
Ques. What is the fee for Karnataka NEET PG private seats?
Ans. The merit quota fee in top private colleges is around ₹13.5 lakh per year. NRI seat fees are much higher. Government seats have the lowest fees, set by the state. The exact fee is published in the KEA notification each year.
Ques. Is Karnataka domicile needed for NEET PG Counselling?
Ans. Karnataka domicile or study eligibility is needed for the government quota seats. You must meet the clause-based rules, such as studying in Karnataka for 10 years. For private and NRI seats, domicile is not required, and candidates from other states can also apply.
Ques. What was the Karnataka NEET PG cutoff for BMCRI in 2025?
Ans. In 2025 Round 1, the MD closing rank at Bangalore Medical College (BMCRI) ranged from 228 to about 1,24,824 across all categories. Popular courses like Radio Diagnosis closed at much better ranks. The 2026-27 cutoff will be released after the seat allotment.
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